Unit 3: Structure and Functions of the Federal Government

Unit 3: Structure and Functions of the Federal

Government

Three branches compose the basic structure of the federal government. Public policy is created through the making of laws, the execution of the laws and the adjudication of disputes under the laws.

Content StatementsLaw and public policy are created

and implemented by three branches of government; each functions with

its own set of powers and responsibilities.

The political process creates a dynamic interaction among the

three branches of government in addressing current issues.

Congressional Leadership

Leadership Position Description & Job Duties Method of Selection

U.S. Vice President

President Pro Tempore

Majority Leader

Minority Leader

Majority Whip

Minority Whip

U.S. Senate

U.S. House of Representatives

Leadership Position Description & Job Duties Method of Selection

Speaker

Majority Leader

Minority Leader

Majority Whip

Minority Whip

Legislative Branch

Section 4: Organization of Congress

Terms and Sessions– Every 2 years, all House of Reps and 1/3

of Senators – New term begins Jan. 3– Each Congress is numbered

• 1st was 1789-1790• 112th was 2011-2012

– Each term divided into two 1-year sessions

– Quorum (majority) must be present to conduct business

Term Limits—none for Congress

– For—get new people in– Against—want consistency– Incumbents—current officeholders, they

usually win re-election

Congressional Leaders• *Majority party—holds most seats• *Minority party—holds fewer seats


Speaker

Majority Leader Minority Leader

Majority Whip Minority Whip

U.S. Senate




U.S. Vice President

Rank-and-File SenatorsRank-and-File Representatives

Congressional Leadership

How do congressional leaders maintain order and facilitate the

legislative process?


Speaker



U.S. Senate




U.S. Vice PresidentJoe Biden


President of the SenateJoe Biden - U.S. Vice President

(D)

•Does not debate bills or address the Senate•Votes only if there is a tie•Presides over official electoral college vote•Presides over Federal impeachment cases (except President… Chief Justice presides in these cases)


Speaker



U.S. Senate

President Pro TemporeDaniel Inouye (D)



U.S. Vice PresidentJoe Biden (D)



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Daniel_Inouye_Official_Photo_2009.jpg


Speaker



U.S. Senate

Majority LeaderHarry Reid – (D)

Minority Leader





Senate Majority LeaderHarry Reid (D)

•Most Senior Senate Official

•Day-to-Day manager of business in Senate

•Primary spokesperson for his party


Speaker



U.S. Senate


Minority LeaderMitch McConnell –

(R)





Senate Minority LeaderMitch McConnell (R)

•Most Senior Official For Minority Party

•Set party Agenda and Strategy


Speaker



U.S. Senate



(R)

Majority WhipDick Durbin – (D)

Minority Whip




Senate Majority WhipRichard Durbin (D)

•Persuade Members to vote on party lines

•Ensure bills have enough support to pass

•“whip up support” for party


Speaker



U.S. Senate



(R)


Minority WhipJon Kyl – (R)




Senate Minority WhipJon Kyl (R)





SpeakerJohn Boehner (R)



U.S. Senate



(R)


Minority Whip



Jon Kyl – (R)


Speaker of the HouseJohn Boehner (R)

•Presides over the House of Representatives

•Sets the agenda for legislation

•Primary Spokesperson for his or her party

•Most Senior official in House of Representatives



Majority LeaderEric Cantor (R)

Minority Leader


U.S. Senate



(R)


Minority Whip



Jon Kyl – (R)


House Majority LeaderEric Cantor- (R)

•Leader of the Majority Party

•Second most senior official in House of Reps.

•Recently day-to-day manager of business on house floor




Minority LeaderNancy Pelosi (D)


U.S. Senate



(R)


Minority Whip



Jon Kyl – (R)


House Minority LeaderNancy Pelosi (D)

•Most senior official of minority party

•Leader of Minority Party

•Set party agenda, message, and strategy





Majority WhipKevin McCarthy (R)

Minority Whip

U.S. Senate



(R)


Minority Whip



Jon Kyl – (R)


House Majority WhipKevin McCarthy (R)








Majority WhipKevin McCarthy (R)

Minority WhipSteny Hoyer (D)

U.S. Senate



(R)


Minority Whip



Jon Kyl – (R)


House Minority WhipSteny Hoyer (D)




The Legislative Branch

Section 5: The Committee System

Committee System Questions

1. What is the purpose of the committees?2. What is a standing committee? A

subcommittee? A select committee? A joint committee? A conference committee?

3. Members of Congress who have served the longest often head key committees and have an important voice in passing legislation. Do you think this seniority system helps Congress to operate more effectively? EXPLAIN!

The Committee System“Congress in the Committee is

Congress at work”-Woodrow Wilson

Purpose of Committees•Committees

ease Congressional workload by dividing work among small groups.

Purpose of Committees•Committees allow members to discuss and select the most important bills Congress will consider.

Kinds of Committees•Standing committees deal with certain issues continuing from one Congress to the next.•Judiciary Committee

Kinds of Committees•Subcommittees handle special subcategories of standing committees’ work, and also continue from one Congress to the next.•Social Security

Kinds of Committees•Select committees are special committees created in both houses of Congress for one term to study a specific topic.•9/11 Commission

Kinds of Committees•Joint Committees – members

from both Houses.•Taxation

•Conference Committees – temporary committees set up to resolve differences in the House and Senate version of a bill.

Choosing Members•Assigning members to various committees is a key decision in the organization of Congress.

Choosing Members• Membership on certain committees…1.Helps members build reputations and

increase their chances for reelection.2.Gives members a chance to influence

important national legislation.3.Enables members to influence other

members since those committees deal with issues that are important to all members.

Choosing Members•In both houses, parties assign

members to the standing committees

•Party leaders and chairpersons of the standing committees are the most important members of Congress.

Choosing Members•Standing committee chairpersons make key decisions about the work of their committees, though their power has decreased.

Discussion Question•Members of Congress who

have served the longest often head key committees and have an important voice in passing legislation. Do you think this seniority system helps Congress to operate more effectively? EXPLAIN!

Documents

Unit 3: Structure and Functions of the Federal Government